Total oesophago-gastric dissociation in neurologically impaired children: Laparoscopic vs robotic approach.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the feasibility and short-term results of laparoscopic and robotic total oesophago-gastric dissociation (TOGD) with a Roux-en-Y oesophago-jejunostomy. Minimal invasive surgery has multiple advantages in neurologically impaired patients. Robotic approach has overcome disadvantages linked to laparoscopy, in particular, referring to the surgeon fatigue.

Enterostomy-related complications in Hirschsprung's disease in a single cohort.

Background: Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a frequent cause of intestinal obstruction in children and may require an enterostomy. The study aimed to describe the most common enterostomy-related complications in a series of patients treated in a single center.

Methods: A series of consecutive HSCR patients treated or followed-up at our institution between January 1993 and December 2016 were included.

Hirschsprung disease and Down syndrome: From the reappraisal of risk factors to the impact of surgery.

Introduction: The association of Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) and Down Syndrome (DS) is not uncommon (HSCR+DS). This paper aims at reporting the results of a 24-year series focusing on surgical approach, complications and long term outcome.

Materials And Methods: The notes of all patients admitted with a diagnosis of HSCR+DS have been retrospectively reviewed.

Intrasphincteric Botox injections in Hirschsprung's disease: indications and outcome in 64 procedures over a ten-year period.

Background: Intrasphincteric botulinum toxin (Botox) injection for symptomatic postoperative anal achalasia in Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) has found wide application in the last twenty years. The aim of this study was to describe effectiveness and functional outcome of a series of patients treated over a 10-year period.

Methods: All consecutive HSCR patients who received intrasphincteric Botox injections between January 2007 and December 2016 were included.

Preliminary report on endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment in children: results of a multicentric series.

Background: Pilonidal disease is a troublesome acquired condition for whom various surgical treatments have been proposed with relatively high recurrence and complication rates. Since EPSiT technique has been described in 2013, it became an alternative treatment in adult practice. Our study reports the results of a multicentre series of pediatric patients who underwent EPSiT procedure over a 21-month period.

Robotic-Assisted Minimally Invasive Total Esophagogastric Dissociation for Children with Severe Neurodisability.

Background: Around 70% of children with neurodisability (ND) present pharyngeal neuromuscular incoordination and severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

Methods: This is a pilot study with the Robotic-assisted minimally invasive total esophagogastric dissociation (TOGD).

Results: We included 4 patients, 2 males and 2 females, with ND and severe GORD refractory to medical treatment.

Long-term outcome and need of re-operation in gastro-esophageal reflux surgery in children.

Background: Fundoplication is considered a mainstay in the treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux. However, the literature reports significant recurrences and limited data on long-term outcome.

Aims: To evaluate our long-term outcomes of antireflux surgery in children and to assess the results of redo surgery.

Morbidity and Risk Factors of Laparoscopic-Assisted Ileostomies in Children With Ulcerative Colitis.

Introduction: Laparoscopic-assisted ileostomy (LAI) represents a cornerstone for the staged approach to ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim is to determine stoma morbidity in a series of pediatric patients and possibly identify specific risk factors.

Methods: All of the patients who underwent LAI for UC between January 2008 and December 2014 were included.

Minimally invasive surgery for paediatric inflammatory bowel disease: Personal experience and literature review.

The incidence of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) has dramatically increased in the last 20 years. Although first reported in mid 1970s', diagnostic laparoscopy has started to be routinely adopted in paediatric surgical practice since late 1990s'. Minimally invasive surgery was first limited to diagnostic purposes.

A single institution observational study of early mechanical complications in central venous catheters (valved and open-ended) in children with cancer.

The use of indwelling central venous catheters (CVCs) has become essential for managing children undergoing cancer treatment. Various types of CVCs are available, but reports on complications observed in pediatric series are scarce. We describe our experience concerning early mechanical complications at our institute by providing a prospective evaluation of three types of CVCs that were inserted over a 39-month period.

Prospective study of indwelling central venous catheter-related complications in children with broviac or clampless valved catheters.

Purpose: To compare two types of central venous catheters (Broviac and valved clampless) for the incidence and severity of catheter-related complications in children.

Patients And Methods: The authors report data on the mechanical and infectious complications collected in a prospective analysis of 92 catheters inserted in 82 children from January 2000 to March 2001.

Results: Two different devices were inserted: 51 Broviac and 41 clampless valved catheters.